Homeland Security Dept. Seeks Innovative Solutions The Department of Homeland Security has released a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program solicitation by the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency. “Through the SBIR Program we will introduce HSARPA to small businesses and invite them to be a part of our team,” said Charles McQueary, undersecretary for science and technology. HSARPA is seeking proposals for the following research and development topics: •new systems/technologies to detect low vapor pressure chemicals; •chem-bio sensors employing novel receptor scaffold; •advanced low-cost aerosol collectors for surveillance sensors and personal monitoring; •computer modeling tool for vulnerability assessment of U.S. infrastructure; •marine asset tag tracking system; •AIS tracking and collision avoidance equipment for small boats; •ship compartment inspection device; and •advanced secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and related distributed control systems. The SBIR Program is restricted to for-profit small businesses in the United States with 500 or fewer employees. Interested firms will apply first for a six-month Phase I award of up to $100,000, to define the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of a particular concept. Those whose concepts prove successful in Phase I may be invited to apply for a two-year Phase II award of up to $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage. “Our goal with the SBIR program is to benefit from the nation’s small businesses in the research and development arena, a critical source of innovation,” said Kevin Boshears, Director, of the department’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. “Like our small business procurement program, the SBIR program makes small business participation part of the Department’s culture in support of our national mission.”